# SSH Client vs Code App

The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against Code App's $6.99. SSH Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (94% vs 64%). Code App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, chart position and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SSH Client is free to download; Code App costs $6.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Code App asks for nothing beyond the download.

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 301, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 64% of Code App's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, Code App monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | Code App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $6.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | [4.0 (301 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-app/id1512938504/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 301 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 63.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | #31 |
| Size | 132 MB | 963 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [thebaselab Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1452525755) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #116 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app provides a fast SSH terminal and remote file access, seamlessly integrating your SSH servers with your iOS device. It offers advanced text editing gestures, drag-and-drop file management, and built-in tmux support for persistent sessions. Access your server's file system directly within the Files app and automate transfers via Shortcuts.

**Highlights:** Lightning fast SSH terminal, Remote file access and management, Standard and custom text editing gestures, Drag-and-drop file transfer, Built-in tmux support for session persistence, Files app integration for server file system, Shortcuts app integration for automation

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShellFish Monthly subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| ShellFish Annual subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Turns iPad into productivity machine
- 🚀 Seamless SSH experience
- 👍 Excellent integration with Files app
- 👍 Robust key management and syncing
- 👍 Powerful terminal with great features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior with some commands
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when running certain commands
- Issues with file transfer progress reporting

**Requested features**

- Improved documentation and tutorials
- Support for additional authentication methods
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts and layouts
- Tabbed terminal interface


### Code App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-app/id1512938504)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Paid · Developer Tools, #161 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app offers a desktop-class code editing experience on iPadOS. It includes built-in runtimes for popular languages like Node.js, Python, and Java, along with advanced features such as autocompletion and Git integration.

**Highlights:** Desktop-class code editor, Built-in Node.js, Python, C, C++, PHP, Java runtimes, Autocompletion and language features, Local file system support, SSH/FTP remote connection, Embedded terminal, Git version control

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Code App free?

Code App costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or Code App?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Code App averages 4.0 from 301 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or Code App have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor Code App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Code App?

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Code App monthly. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 10, 2026 and Code App on October 11, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SSH Client or Code App?

SSH Client currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Code App at #31. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*